characterize[
] (v) 具有…的特徵
Sharon dislikes the crowds that characterize shopping on the weekends.
] (adv) 異常地；反常地 The park’s bears are abnormally active for this time of year.
The nurse can inject the medicine into your arm.
] (adj) 臨床的 So far, the clinical results of the research have been promising.
] (n) 新生；再生 Since the fire, there has been a lot of regeneration among the trees in the park.
May 30
Orthokine Therapy 关节炎疗法 A new treatment offers hope for sufferers of joint pain
by Dr. David W. Hang
Osteoarthritis causes pain and makes movement difficult for as much as 10 percent of the population. Unfortunately, the cartilage destruction that characterizes osteoarthritis is a continuous process, and conventional treatments may encourage patients to use the joint more – leading to further damage.
In the early 1980s, scientists discovered that patients with osteoarthritis produce abnormally high levels of a protein called Interleukin-1 (IL-1) which destroys cartilage, causing the disease. Further research led to the discovery of IL-1 Ra, a protein that counters the destructive effects of IL-1.
Then in 1996, a team of doctors invented Orthokine Therapy. This innovative process uses cells from the
patient’s body to produce high concentrations of IL-1 Ra that are then injedcted into affected joints.
Orthokine Therapy is revolutionary in that it actually halts the progression of osteoarthritis rather than
simply alleviating the symptoms. Clinical trials have also shown that the therapy is more effective than other
treatments. Arecent study even suggests the treatment may result in cartilage regeneration.
Orthokine Therapy has been used successfully in Europe and Australia for the past decade, and its safety and
effectiveness are well proven. This exciting treatment offers hope to osteoarthritis sufferers everywhere.
